BRITAIN is on alert for more heavy snow tonight as a band of severe winter weather sweeps across the country.

Forecasters warned of more heavy showers across the South-east and the North this evening and into tonight.Worst hit will be East Sussex, parts of Kent, the North-east and the Highlands of Scotland, according to Government forecasters.

The Met Office has severe weather warnings in place across the entire country tonight and over the weekend.

A rare red warning for extreme snowfall in Wales is valid until 9pm although the region is still likely to get more snow.

A train making its way into Richmond station

Nationwide snow is a very rare event and this is a very serious situation

Forecaster Robin Thwaytes

Met Office forecaster Charlie Powell warned temperatures could sink as low as -5C (23F) leading to icy roads and pavements.

He said: “A band of snow will give further moderate showers over the South-east, east Sussex and parts of Kent and the North.

“Because temperatures are going to fall there is the risk of ice on the roads and motorists would be well advised to take extra care.

“There is still some snow around over the weekend and it is going to stay cold and icy.”

The AA warned freezing snow and ice on the roads has lead to roads turning icy and warned motorists to take extra care.

Head of Special Operations Darron Burness: “There’s been a big impact on the roads as the snow fell so heavily with traffic crawling on many routes and we’ve had reports of journeys taking three or four times longer than usual.

“With the snow compacting down and turning icy, we’re likely to see treacherous driving conditions this evening and throughout the weekend. “Any fresh snow on top will just add to the problems.”

Heathrow and Gatwick airport have said they are staying open as usual although passengers have been advised to check with their airlines for cancellations.

A woman walking in Bristol this morning through heavy snow

A statement on Gatwick’s website read: “Snow is expected at Gatwick this morning and during the course of today.“

The UK has seen several inches of snow fall today with winds leading to drifts of up to a foot in the worst hit regions.

Merthyr Tydfil in Wales is among the worst hit areas, with the Welsh capital Cardiff also waking up to heavy snow this morning.

Commuters faced long traffic jams this morning while snow forced the closure of Cardiff International Airport.

Flights at Newcastle Airport were cancelled and the runway was closed at Jersey Airport. Glasgow Airport reported disruption to some flights.

RAC has warned against travelling in the heavy snow

Snow forced the closure of the M50 was closed between Ross-on-Wye and Newent, while the M4 near Cardiff was partially blocked between junctions 30 and 32.Trains between Bridgend and Cardiff Central are still being delayed, while there were no services between Radyr and Coryton in South Wales

Railway passengers have also faced delays due to broken down trains and faulty equipment.

A man walks his dog in Herrington Country park near Sunderland

The Met Office warned strong winds today could lead to deep snowdrifts with blizzards leading to up to a foot of snow.

Forecasters warned sub-zero temperatures over the weekend will lead to lying snow freezing over leading to more travel chaos.